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- Tasks: Support women through loss and bereavement in the criminal justice system.
- Company: Join Advance Charity, a feminist organisation dedicated to empowering women.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days paid holiday, employee discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in grief counselling and understanding of trauma-informed care required.
- Other info: Flexible hours with a dynamic team focused on community support.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 32000 £ per year.
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!
We are looking for a Loss & Bereavement Specialist Worker.
- Salary: £27,000- £32,000 pro rata
- Location: Advance Headoffice Hammersmith & Women’s centres across London, with co-location at HMP Bronzefield
- Hours: 21 hours per week
- Contract: Fixed Term – March 2027
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.
About us: Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community. We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community.
About the role: This is an ideal post for someone with experience and interest in bereavement work, looking to join a forward-thinking, new service. This is also a great chance to be working alongside the Healthcare & Education Department within HMP Bronzefield and be part of a prison services team in Advance. Using a trauma-informed approach, the Loss & Bereavement Specialist will conduct a person-centred assessment to understand the extent of the client’s emotional needs and the impact of loss due to imprisonment or contact with the criminal justice system whilst also identifying practical and specialist needs. They will work with women to develop a support plan, ensuring they are equipped with information and knowledge about how to navigate possible changes in circumstances related to her children’s care and offer crisis intervention and support during acute phases of loss/bereavement.
The Loss & Bereavement Specialist Worker will liaise with the Prison Healthcare team, OMU, visits team and the Family Support Officer to facilitate interactions between women and their children/family members, particularly considering support is in place after visits and that the women’s emotional needs are met in custody and community via our Women’s centres. The Specialist Worker will create a link between prison and the community, helping women to navigate support services and to positively re-integrate into their community upon release. The role will combine a casework-based approach, along with a signposting and advice service for the women. They will be based in the community and will provide a drop-in service in HMP Bronzefield to support women who are close to release. A car may be desirable for this role, though not essential.
About You: To be successful as the Loss & Bereavement Specialist Worker you will need the below experience and skills:
- Experience of working with bereaved individuals and providing grief counselling including knowledge of various therapeutic modalities relevant to grief counselling
- Comprehensive understanding of the grieving process and experience of working with bereaved and loss as well as knowledge of traumatic and complex grief/loss.
- An understanding of violence against women and girls and its links to women in the criminal justice system.
- Proven ability and experience as a caseworker delivering trauma responsive interventions which support resettlement and rehabilitation of vulnerable people in the criminal justice system whether in the community or in prisons
- Knowledge and understanding of the requirements of managing a caseload including maintaining and updating records, remaining focused on action plan goals, and keeping to deadlines.
How to apply: Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.
Closing date for applications: 21st April 2026
Interviews are taking place w/c 4th May 2026.
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:
- An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that’s nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
- Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
- Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee eye-care scheme
- Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
- Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation
- Organisation wide away days
- Thorough induction and training
- Career development pathways
Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities: We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding: Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities.
When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
Locations
Loss & Bereavement Specialist (Criminal Justice System) in Ashford, Hammersmith, Kent employer: Advance
Contact Detail:
Advance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Loss & Bereavement Specialist (Criminal Justice System) in Ashford, Hammersmith, Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of loss and bereavement, especially those connected to the criminal justice system. Attend events or workshops where you can meet potential colleagues and mentors – it’s all about making those connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Advance Charity and its values. Understand their feminist agenda and how it aligns with your experience. We want to see that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for our mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to grief counselling and trauma-informed care. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Advance Charity. Let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Loss & Bereavement Specialist (Criminal Justice System) in Ashford, Hammersmith, Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Loss & Bereavement Specialist role. Highlight your experience with bereaved individuals and any relevant skills that align with the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique background to our feminist agenda!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about supporting women in the criminal justice system and how your experience makes you a great fit for this role. Remember, we love a personal touch!
Showcase Your Understanding of Grief Counselling: In your application, be sure to demonstrate your knowledge of grief counselling and the grieving process. We’re looking for someone who understands the complexities of loss, so share any relevant experiences or training you've had in this area.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our careers page! It’s the only way we’ll consider your application, so make sure you follow the instructions carefully. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Loss & Bereavement Specialist and the specific challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system. Familiarise yourself with trauma-informed approaches and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the needs of the role.
✨Show Your Empathy
This role is all about supporting women through difficult times. Be prepared to share examples of how you've provided emotional support or counselling in the past. Highlight your understanding of grief and loss, and how you can apply that knowledge in a practical setting.
✨Connect the Dots
Demonstrate your ability to link prison services with community support. Think about how you would help women navigate their emotional and practical needs post-release. Be ready to discuss any relevant casework experience and how it has prepared you for this role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the organisation's approach to supporting women and how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.